Tornello becomes first female police sergeant in Wilton history

Published 10:40 am, Thursday, May 18, 2017

Police Chief John Lynch awards Anna Tornello with her sergeant pin at a promotion ceremony Thursday.

Police Chief John Lynch awards Anna Tornello with her sergeant pin at a promotion ceremony Thursday.

Photo: Wilton Police Department

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Town Clerk Lori Kaback swears in Anna Tornello during her promotion ceremony Thursday.

Town Clerk Lori Kaback swears in Anna Tornello during her promotion ceremony Thursday.

Photo: Wilton Police Department

Tornello becomes first female police sergeant in Wilton history

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WILTON — The Wilton Police Department marked a milestone last Thursday in promoting Anna Tornello to sergeant, making her the first female sergeant in town history.

Since joining the Wilton police force in 2010, Tornello’s excellence in the field has never wavered.

As a cadet at the Connecticut Police Academy, Tornello received the prestigious Luciano Award, conferred for high academic achievement earning the top score among her peers.

As an officer, Tornello received numerous distinctions, from letters of commendation and recognition from peers, as well as members of the public, to her 2011 “Meritorious Service Award” for tackling a bank fraud suspect.

Tornello is also a four-time recipient of the MADD award for her dedication to DUI enforcement, and twice the recipient of the AAA Traffic Safety Hero award.

While Tornello is proud of her distinction as the first female sergeant in department history, Police Chief John Lynch said that Tornello’s the type of officer who wants to be remembered for her abilities, not milestones.

“She wants to focus on her abilities, which she feels is more important in making us successful. She has worked hard to earn her position and will continue to do so,” he said.

Tornello is one of only 37 certified Drug Recognition Experts in the state, an expertise that places special emphasis on detection of drivers intoxicated by drugs.

Skills won’t be the only thing Tornello brings to the table as sergeant. Her unique perspective as a woman will also lend a new edge to the police force, Tornello said.

“Although I am proud to be the first female sergeant of the Wilton Police Department, being a woman simply means to offer a different perspective, a different approach to issues and different solutions,” Tornello said.

Tornello moved to the United States in 2003 from Italy, where she was a municipal police officer for seven years, and a member of the motorcycle unit emergency response team for six years. Prior to joining the Wilton police force, Tornello was employed by the Connecticut’s Judicial Marshal Service.

Tornello continues a legacy started by esteemed peers like Lori Withall, who was the first female officer hired by Wilton in 1979, and Eva Zimnoch, who became the department’s first female detective in 2015.

Though she admits that hard work and perseverance guided her along the path to success, she also said that her ascent wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of her colleagues.

“None of us can succeed in a vacuum, and I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to work with a highly professional and competent group of people,” she said.